YEAR  TO  COME 

and  the 

YEAR  GONE  BY 


Containing  the  Inaugural  Address  oj 
President  Henry  W.  Morgan  and  the 
Annual  Report  of  Secretary  Roland 
B.  Woodward,  given  at  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  Rochester  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  January  22nd,  1912 


1911-1912 


We 

ROCHESTER 

CHAMBER  of  COMMERCE 


-V3S  Y 

WHY  I SHOULD  BE  A MEMBER  OF  THE  CHAMBER 


Membership 

Widens 

Acquaintance 


The 

Summer 

Illumination 


ANY  man  engaged  in  any  commercial  activity  in 
our  community  cannot  afford  to  stay  out  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  Chamber  is  taking 
active  part  in  all  live  subjects  that  tend  to  the  success 
of  business  enterprises,  and  also  those  subjects  that  are 
vital  to  the  interests  and  welfare  of  the  community.  To 
mingle  with  the  members,  and  discuss  these  topics  alone 
is  worth  many  times  the  annual  dues.  Success  in  com- 
mercial life  to-day  depends  in  a measure  on  the  good 
impression  we  make,  and  our  standing  in  the  community. 
Where  can  one  make  better  and  a greater  number  of 
business  friends  than  by  his  acquaintance  with  the  eight 
hundred  members  of  this  Chamber?  Enjoying  with 
others  the  benefits  that  come  to  all  through  the  Chamber 
is  a privilege. 

Ct.  During  the  summer  months,  when  the  business  sec- 
tion of  our  city  was  illuminated  with  the  gorgeous  elec- 
tric canopies,  who  in  Rochester  did  not  enjoy  this  dis- 
play? When  you  with  your  out-of-town  friend  walked 
through  the  business  section,  and  heard  the  unbounded 
praise  for  Rochester,  and  heard  the  out-of-town  visitor 
marvel  at  the  gorgeous  illumination,  and  ask  how  it  all 
happened,  wasn’t  it  worth  something  when  you  replied, 
“Just  one  of  the  many  features  made  possible  through 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce.”  Of  course  you  added  to 
this  remark,  “Yes,  I belong  to  the  Chamber.”  This 
is  but  a single  incident  of  the  many  things  that  are  going 
on  in  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  not  only  for  a more 
prosperous  commercial  life  among  us,  but  for  our  general 
welfare.  When  the  bachelor  went  to  pay  his  school  tax 
he  grumbled,  and  said,  “Why  should  I pay  a school 
tax?”  The  reply  was,  “You  are  merely  helping  your- 
self to  live  in  a more  intelligent  community.  ’ ’ Look 
at  the  little  booklet  issued  by  the  Chamber,  “The  City 
of  Varied  Industries,”  it  gives  concise  and  complete 
information  about  almost  everything  you  wish  to  know 
about  commercial  Rochester,  made  possible  only  by 
the  co-operation  of  the  eight  hundred  members  of  your 
Association. 

CL  It  would  seem  to  your  President  that  the  Chamber 
should  continue  the  policy  and  scope  of  its  work  so 
ably  carried  on  last  year  under  President  Albert  B. 
Eastwood. 


12  F <3  , 


THE  CHAMBER’S  POLICY 


WORK  in  this  line,  as  started  last  year  in  this  Cham- 
ber, should  be  pushed  vigorously.  Great  atten- 
tion was  attracted  by  the  Apple  Show  and 
Fruit  Dinner  given  by  the  Chamber  with  only  a few 
days’  preparation.  Facts  brought  out  at  that  time 
made  it  seem  that  we,  the  consumers,  were  not  awake 
to  the  natural  resources  and  advantages  of  our  fruit 
industry.  We  as  citizens,  at  least,  are  not  eating  the 
best  that  can  be  raised  in  this  section.  Scientific  treat- 
ment and  education  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  to  expect 
the  best  that  is  grown  in  this  section  will  develop  the 
fruit  industry  wonderfully.  It  will  be  a source  of  greater 
profit  to  the  growers  and  dealers,  and  a satisfaction  to 
the  consumer. 


Cl  We  have  heard  much  of  the  apple  section  of  the 
Hood  River  in  Oregon.  President  Brown  of  the  New 
York  Central,  recently  stated  that  five  stations  on  the 
,•  New  York  Central  Line,  near  Rochester,  shipped  more 
apples  in  one  year  than  the  entire  States  of  Oregon  and 
Washington  combined.  Michigan  and  Kansas  are 
putting  forth  great  effort  to  develop  their  fruit  sections. 
We  hope  to  show  the  world  that  we  grow  not  only  the 
^ greatest  quantity  but  the  best  quality  fruits,  in  this 
section,  and  that  we  have  learned  how  to  eat  them. 


THE  work  of  Fire  Prevention  carried  on  by  the 
Chamber  should  be  continued  until  every  citizen 
of  our  good  city  learns  that  it  is  within  his 
power  to  protect  his  own  property  from  being  destroyed 
by  fire.  Then  at  such  time  we  will  be  comparatively 
free  from  the  conflagrations  that  lay  waste  thousands 
of  dollars  in  values.  Citizens  will  then  be  in  a position 
to  ask  rates  and  conditions  of  insurance  in  keeping  with 
their  own  efforts  to  protect  their  own  property.  The 
result  of  this  work  must  of  necessity  come  slowly.  Be- 
ginning with  the  children  in  our  houses  and  schools  we 
must  persistently  teach  them  to  baffle  our  friendly 
enemy  the  fire. 


C.  Just  one  word  about  Smoke  Prevention,  not  Smoke 
Consumption.  We  trust  that  you  will  all  read  carefully 
the  little  pamphlet  that  is  about  to  be  issued  by  the 
Chamber  on  this  subject. 


Agricultural 

and 

Horticultural 


Fire 

Prevention 


Page  three 


TWO  “PREVENTIONS” 


Smoke 

Prevention 


G,  Four  years  ago,  I was  a guest  of  one  of  the  officers 
of  the  Pillsbury  Milling  Company  of  Minneapolis,  Minn. 
In  riding  about  the  city,  we  saw  a cloud  of  smoke  that 
nearly  covered  one  portion  of  the  city.  It  was  a more 
dense  smoke  and  covered  a greater  area  than  any  I have 
ever  seen  in  Rochester.  I asked  my  friend  where  all 
that  smoke  came  from.  He  seemed  a little  irritated  at 
the  question,  and  replied,  “That  smoke  comes  from 
our  mills.  Our  company  is  making  thirty-five  thousand 
barrels  of  flour  every  day.  If  the  people  expect  to  eat 
bread  they  must  put  up  with  the  smoke,  as  it  cannot  be 
stopped.”  He  said  it  in  such  a way  that  I turned  my 
attention  to  the  beautiful  gorge  of  the  Mississippi  River. 
Last  summer,  I was  again  a guest  of  the  President  of  the 
Pillsbury  Milling  Company  in  Minneapolis.  Again  we 
drove  about  the  city.  We  stopped  at  the  great  power 
plant  of  this  concern,  the  new  one  less  than  a year  old. 
He  pointed  with  pride  to  the  huge  stack,  and  said, 
“There  has  never  been  an  atom  of  smoke  issuing  from 
that  stack.”  I replied,  “How  about  the  thirty-five 
thousand  barrels  of  flour,  and  the  people  eating 
bread?”  He  replied,  “We  concluded  that  we  could 
not  afford  to  smoke,  and  also  that  we  did  not  want  to, 
and  the  DID  NOT  WANT  TO  stopped  it.”  This 
concern  burns  an  enormous  quantity  of  Illinois  Soft 
Coal,  which  is  more  smoky  than  the  soft  coal  burned  in 
this  section. 

Gentlemen — If  you  were  reading  by  the  light  of  a 
kerosene  lamp,  and  it  smoked,  you  would  stop  it  because 
it  would  bother  you.  You  have  shown  by  your  enter- 
prise in  many  undertakings  that  you  can  accomplish 
what  you  set  out  to  do.  The  Smoke  Problem  is  a very 
simple  one.  If  you  wish  to  abate  the  Smoke  Nuisance 
you  will  do  it. 

THE  Genesee  River,  from  its  source  to  its  mouth,  is 
one  of  the  most  beautiful,  and  could  be  made  one  of 
the  most  useful  in  the  country.  It  is  to-day  one 
of  the  mod  neglected.  Every  foot  of  that  river  is  beau- 
tiful, every  foot  of  it  has  wonderful  commercial  possibili- 
ties. We  scarcely  see  it,  and  we  do  not  realize  its  com- 
mercial value. 

C.  On  January  6th,  this  year,  the  Chamber  wrote 
Mr.  John  D.  Moore,  Conservation  Commissioner  of  the 
State  of  New  York  at  Albany,  explaining  the  position 


Page  four 


THE  GENESEE  RIVER 


of  the  Rochester  Chamber  of  Commerce  on  the  utiliza- 
tion of  Genesee  River  as  regards  the  storage  dam  at 
Portage.  Every  member  of  this  Chamber,  and  every 
citizen  of  Rochester  should  read  that  statement  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce.  The  building  of  the  dam  as 
outlined,  and  under  the  conditions  as  expressed,  would 
first  relieve  Rochester  and  the  Genesee  Valley  of  the 
annual  flood  which  covers  the  valley  and  threatens 
Rochester  every  year.  It  would  furnish  an  even  supply 
of  water  which  would  keep  the  river  bed  clean  and 
wholesome,  creating  a beautiful  picture  at  each  water- 
fall. The  improved  Genesee  would  be  second  only  to 
Niagara.  It  would  give  an  even  depth  of  water  both  at 
the  southern  part  of  the  city  and  through  the  lower 
gorge,  one  of  the  handsomest  gorges  in  existence. 

CL.  It  would  redeem  thirty  thousand  acres  of  the  most 
fertile  soil  to  be  found  in  the  world  in  the  upper  Genesee 
Valley,  which  is  now  flooded  every  year.  On  this  alone 
millions  of  dollars  of  products  of  the  soil  would  be  added 
to  our  wealth  and  prosperity,  as  there  is  nothing  in  this 
climate  that  cannot  be  raised  abundantly  in  the  Genesee 
Valley.  It  would  double  the  population  and  prosperity 
of  this  valley  more  quickly  than  any  other  force  can  do. 

CL,  It  would  furnish  a power  equal  to  forty  thousand 
horse  power,  to  be  used  in  the  enterprises  of  Rochester 
and  the  Genesee  Valley.  In  other  words,  the  construction 
of  such  a dam  would  make  Rochester  and  its  surround- 
ings more  beautiful,  more  healthful,  more  prosperous, 
give  us  better  pleasure  resorts,  run  the  wheels  of  our 
factories,  light  our  streets  and  houses,  and  carry  us  home 
in  street  cars  and  electric  vehicles. 

CL.  At  the  last  Annual  Dinner  of  the  Chamber  Hon. 
Joseph  M.  Carey,  Governor  of  Wyoming,  in  his  remarks 
stated  that  in  their  community  in  Wyoming  they  wished 
to  increase  their  production  of  potatoes  and  wheat,  and 
incidentally  mentioned,  as  though  it  were  a trifling 
thing,  the  fact  that  they  had  built  a dam  two  hundred 
and  ten  feet  high  in  one  of  the  streams  of  that  State,  in 
order  to  raise  a few  more  potatoes  and  a little  heavier 
crop  of  wheat.  It  seems  that  they  did  not  talk  about 
it  for  years  and  years,  but  simply  built  the  dam.  It  is 
a sparsely  settled  State  with  scarcely  more  inhabitants 
in  the  entire  State  than  there  are  in  the  Genesee  Valley. 


The 

Portage 

Dam 


Page  five 


A REGULATED  WATER  FLOW 


To 

Double  the 
Population 
and 
Prosperity 
of  the 
Genesee 
Valley 


Conventions 


Industrial 

Development 


c I wonder  what  they  would  do  if  they  had  a river  that 
offered  the  advantages  of  the  Genesee? 

CL.  When  are  we  going  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  wonder- 
ful advantages  that  we  are  wasting? 

THE  Genesee  River  does  not  stop  even  at  the  mar- 
velous advantages  stated  above,  but  furnishes 
the  means  of  a great  harbor  at  our  northern 
boundary  as  it  enters  Lake  Ontario. 

CL  The  reason  for  this  harbor  being  improved,  the 
amount  of  commerce  coming  into  and  going  out  of  this 
harbor,  and  the  enormous  tonnage  that  would  be  added 
if  the  harbor  were  improved  is  ably  expressed  in  the 
report  of  the  Lower  River  and  Harbor  Committee  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  submitted  by  Chairman 
Barnard  of  that  committee  at  a recent  meeting  of  the 
trustees.  Every  member  should  read  that  report. 
There  are  a great  many  advantages  for  Rochester  both 
for  pleasure  and  commerce  in  the  Lower  Harbor.  We 
hope  that  the  Chamber  will  push  this  project  so  vigor- 
ously that  we  may  see  a REAL  ROCHESTER  HARBOR 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Genesee  in  the  near  future. 

CL.  The  Barge  Canal  Harbor  in  the  Genesee  will  also 
be  of  benefit  to  Rochester. 

NOTHING  advertises  a city  or  helps  the  commercial 
life  more  than  desirable  conventions.  We  should 
invite  such  conventions  to  come  to  Rochester 
as  will  be  mutually  beneficial  to  those  attending  the 
conventions,  and  to  our  own  business  men  and  citizens 
generally. 

THERE  are  many  conditions  and  natural  advantages 
that  induce  new  industries  to  locate  here.  Roch- 
ester, with  its  varied  industries  and  high  class 
craftsmen,  is  known  as  the  “City  of  Homes.”  In 
bringing  new  industries  to  Rochester  it  should  be  our 
aim  to  maintain  the  high  standard,  and  quality  should 
be  considered  rather  than  quantity. 

CL.  Our  first  duty,  however,  is  to  render  constructive 
assistance  to  industries  now  established  in  Rochester. 
Not  in  financing  them  as  a Chamber,  but  in  encouraging 
the  establishing  in  Rochester  of  such  other  industries 
as  will  assist  and  not  hinder  those  already  here. 


Page  six 


STREET  CAR  SURVEY 


There  is  need  of  a comprehensive  survey  of  our 
street  car  system  by  competent  experts  for  future 
development,  in  order  that  proper  transportation 
facilities  may  be  furnished  our  industrial  workers  in  the 
large  factory  districts.  An  example  of  such  a need  in 
the  past  is  furnished  in  the  western  portion  of  our  city 
at  present  where  large  industrial  plants  have  grown  up 
rapidly,  and  the  transportation  facilities  are  inadequate. 
Such  mistakes  are  serious  hindrances  to  our  industrial 
development.  A street  car  survey  should  have  been 
made  prior  to  the  building  of  this  great  industrial  dis- 
trict, and  the  street  car  system  mapped  out  for  future 
growth.  We  should  avoid  such  mistakes  in  the  future, 
and  start  now  for  the  development  of  Greater  Rochester. 

a Another  reason  for  such  a survey  exists  in  the  fact 
that  our  city  is  growing  rapidly.  We  desire  the  best 
class  of  citizens  and  the  best  living  conditions.  It  is 
not  desirable  to  build  up  crowded  tenements.  In  every 
direction  around  our  city  there  is  fertile  land,  fresh  air, 
and  conditions  exactly  suited  for  individual  homes. 
It  is  sometimes  stated  that  it  costs  less  to  heat  a tene- 
ment, sandwiched  in  between  two  brick  walls,  than  a 
single  house.  On  the  other  hand,  a fifty  foot  square, 
well  cultivated  garden  will  not  only  pay  for  all  the  coal 
necessary  to  heat  the  house  the  entire  year,  but  furnish 
exhilarating  occupation  for  leisure  moments,  and  whole- 
some vegetables  and  fruits  for  the  household.  To 
develop  a city  of  this  character,  where  every  man  becomes 
a representative  citizen,  and  many  of  them  property 
owners,  requires  adequate  transportation  facilities. 

c.  These  conditions  can  only  be  brought  about  by 
proper,  adequate,  and  systematic  transportation  service 
extending  outward  in  all  directions.  The  great  railroad 
president,  James  G.  Hill,  once  said,  “Railways  build 
in  advance  of  population.’’  Could  this  not  be  applied 
practically  and  profitably  to  Rochester  for  its  street 
railway  service? 

CL.  Mr.  Edward  G.  Miner,  during  his  term  as  President 
of  this  Chamber,  advocated  a survey  of  our  street  car 
system,  and  needs  for  future  growth.  This  should  be 
taken  up  at  once. 


Greater 

Rochester 


Developing 

The 

Suburbs 


Page  seven 


A MORE  BEAUTIFUL  CITY 


The 

City 

Plan 

for 

Rochester 


ROCHESTER  is  growing  rapidly.  In  a few  years 
it  will  be  a much  larger  city.  It  is  more  econ- 
omical to  plan  for  the  future  now  than  it  will 
be  hereafter.  We  should  have  the  best  city  that  we 
know  how  to  build,  and  should  start  at  once  for  its 
greater  future  development. 

cl  In  two  years  San  Francisco  spent  four  hundred 
million  dollars  to  rebuild  that  city.  It  was  a big  under- 
taking, but  they  did  it.  There  is  only  one  way  to  do  a 
thing,  that  is,  TO  DO  IT.  It  would  cost  possibly  two 
per  cent  of  this  amount  to  build  the  entire  Civic  Im- 
provement Plan  as  suggested  for  Rochester  through  the 
Civic  Improvement  Committee  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce.  This  is  worthy  of  careful  consideration. 

CL  All  good  citizens  should  unite  in  urging  and  en- 
couraging our  municipal  authorities  to  give  this  matter 
their  most  serious  attention,  and  to  act  as  expeditiously 
as  possible.  Then  we  should  stand  by  them.  Note 
the  change  from  ‘ ‘ Prison  Walls  * * to  ‘ ‘ Exposition  Park.  ’ ’ 
There  is  an  example  of  what  can  be  done. 

CL  Every  citizen  in  his  individual  capacity  should  do 
what  he  can  to  make  the  city  attractive  and  prosperous. 
Every  citizen  is  a city  planner  if  he  produces  an  attract- 
ive lawn,  factory,  or  home. 

WE  are  all  very  much  interested  in  looking  well, 
not  only  personally,  but  in  business  surround- 
ings. It  pays  to  look  well.  It  is  a business 
asset.  Your  factory,  grocery,  or  bakery  shop  is  your 
standing  advertisement  of  your  product  within.  A 
salesman  would  not  start  out  with  soiled  linen,  a dirty 
face  and  muddy  shoes,  because  his  appearance  would 
act  against  him,  not  in  an  aesthetic  way,  but  in  a business 
way,  “hard  cash.”  So  it  is  with  our  place  of  business. 

CL  The  factory  building  in  the  early  days  stood  out 
to  the  sidewalk  line.  The  corner  grocery  in  the  residen- 
tial district,  standing  out  fifty  feet  in  front  of  the  ad- 
joining residences,  depreciates  in  value  the  surrounding 
property.  These  are  not  essential  to  business  pros- 
perity and  commercialism.  If  the  corner  grocery  in  the 
residential  section  were  set  back  on  a line  with  the 
houses,  with  grass,  trees  and  shrubbery,  conforming  to 


Page  eight 


THE  VALUE  OF  APPEARANCE 


the  surrounding  neighborhood,  ‘ ‘ it  would  not  be  a com- 
mercial necessity  that  depreciates  all  property  in  its 
immediate  vicinity.’ * In  building  the  future  business 
establishments  it  would  be  well  if  we  could  learn  that 
it  is  not  necessary  to  crush  out  the  symmetrical,  beau- 
tiful, and  artistic  in  order  to  be  commercially  success- 
ful. Suppose  every  factory  built  in  the  early  days, 
and  those  to  be  built  in  the  future,  should  be  set  back 
from  the  street,  a few  feet  only,  the  building  covered 
with  vines,  a little  lawn,  and  a tree  or  two  in  front,  not 
only  would  our  parks,  boulevards,  and  residential  streets 
be  the  talk  of  the  country,  as  they  are  to-day,  but  the 
factory  and  business  district  would  be  equally  beautiful. 
This  in  itself  would  be  a money  making  proposition. 

<L  The  manufacturer  who  started  in  business  a quarter 
of  a century  ago,  now  buys  a picture,  an  oil  painting. 
He  points  with  pride  to  the  picture  to  show  that  com- 
mercialism has  not  shut  out  of  his  life  that  which  is 
artistic.  It  is  not  a real  Rembrandt,  Millet,  or  any  of  the 
Old  Masters;  it  is  a copy  of  “The  Old  Mill.”  Com- 
mercialism is  engraven  in  his  nature,  and  something 
useful  must  be  depicted  in  the  picture.  It  is  not  the 
mill,  but  the  setting  that  is  beautiful,  the  elm  tree  in 
the  rear,  the  vine  on  the  building,  and  the  strip  of  grass 
in  front,  that  really  attracts  him.  A small  strip  of  land 
when  he  built  the  mill,  a tree  from  the  nursery  at  fifty 
cents,  and  ten  cents  worth  of  grass  seed  would  have 
given  him  the  living  picture  for  a quarter  of  a century, 
and  would  have  been  enjoyed  by  every  citizen  as  well  as 
himself. 

a Let  us  build  for  the  future,  build  for  commercial 
prosperity,  build  our  city  commercially  substantial, 
and  commercially  beautiful. 

Members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce: 
a.  Do  something  the  coming  year,  that  you 
have  not  done,  to  promote  the  Chamber’s  pros- 
perity and  efficiency. 

<L  Retailers  get  together.  Wholesalers,  Manu- 
facturers, attend  the  committee  meetings;  be 
sure  you  are  on  one  of  the  committees;  come  up 
to  lunch;  be  social;  and  help  promote  the  gen- 
eral prosperity.  LET  US  GET  TOGETHER 
AND  WORK  TOGETHER. 


The 

New  Idea 
in 

Factory 

Design 


The 

Real 

Message 


Page  nine 


THE  SECRETARY’S  REPORT 


A 

General 

Summary 


To  the  Officers,  Board  of  Trustees,  and  Members  of 
the  Rochester  Chamber  of  Commerce: 

IT  is  my  purpose,  in  each  annual  report,  to  give  a 
bird’s-eye  view  of  the  activities  of  this  organization 
during  the  preceding  year.  A detailed  account 
wHlld  interest  no  one  and  would  shed  very  little  light 
either  upon  the  value  of  the  work  accomplished,  or  de- 
ductions to  be  drawn  for  our  guidance  in  the  year  to 
come. 


<L  The  chief  energies  of  the  Chamber  during  the  year 
1911  have  been  concentrated  on  what  is  the  very  heart 
of  the  Chamber’s  activity — successful  committee  effort. 
Owing  to  the  illness  of  the  Secretary  in  January  and 
February,  1911,  the  President  was  unavoidably  pre- 
vented from  early  appointment  of  his  committees,  and 
a consequent  slowness  in  getting  many  of  the  activities 
of  the  Chamber  under  way,  with  the  result  that  the  work 
was  carried  on  more  forcefully  and  persistently  during 
the  early  Summer  months.  This  handicap,  however, 
wTas  largely  overcome  by  the  zeal  with  which  particular 
lines  of  effort  were  followed,  the  President  actively 
devoting  a very  large  part  of  his  own  time  to  the  actual 
work  within  these  offices.  Twenty-nine  regular  com- 
mittees were  appointed,  with  a total  of  about  three 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  after  the  most  painstaking  effort 
to  make  these  committees  as  well  chosen  and  serviceable 
as  possible.  Several  special  committees  were  appointed 
during  the  year,  making  the  total  thirty-five  com- 
mittees in  all,  and  the  total  number  engaged  in  active 
work,  including  Officers  and  Trustees,  about  60%  of 
our  entire  membership. 


a The  exceptionally  good  work  done  by  many  com- 
mittees has  been  pointed  out  by  President  Eastwood 
during  the  year.  Some  committees  have  been  inactive, 
due  to  the  fact  that  chairmen  have  been  so  engrossed 
with  other  matters  as  to  make  their  contribution  of  time 
to  the  Chamber’s  work  very  limited.  Other  commit- 
tees have  been  inactive  because  the  purpose  for  which 
they  were  appointed  did  not  develop  as  we  expected 
during  the  year,  or  their  work  was  deferred  because  of 
reasons  which  made  it  wise  to  defer  it. 


Page  ten 


FIRE  PREVENTION  CAMPAIGN 


C.  It  is  well  nigh  impossible  for  any  man  to  pick  out 
the  most  important  things  in  the  Chamber’s  effort  for 
the  year.  Some  achievement  that  has  seemed  of  vast 
importance  will  fade  away  into  nothing,  while  some 
work  that  has  seemed  of  little  value  will  grow  and  prove 
to  men  that  they  never  know  the  far-reaching  effect  of 
the  forces  they  set  in  motion.  The  average  member  is 
likely  to  pronounce  most  effective  that  phase  of  the 
Chamber’s  work  which  has  secured  the  greatest  measure 
of  publicity.  This  will  apply,  during  the  year  1911, 
especially  to  the  campaign  for  Fire  Prevention,  suggested 
by  the  Credit  Men’s  Association,  initiated  by  President 
Eastwood,  ably  supported  by  the  Fire  Prevention  Com- 
mittee, and  materially  aided  by  the  clear  and  concise 
writing  of  Assistant  Secretary  Ralph  Barstow. 


a This  Chamber  has  set  a high  standard  in  this  cam- 
paign. 13,000  copies  of  the  booklet,  “Prevention  of 
Fire,  ’ ’ were  not  only  printed  but  sold  throughout  the 
entire  United  States,  and  some  abroad.  The  press  of 
the  country  responded  enthusiastically  to  this  unique 
effort,  and  Rochester  and  its  Chamber  received,  in 
editorial  columns  and  news  items,  a credit  that  could 
not  have  been  purchased  with  all  the  money  spent  on 
the  total  Chamber  activities.  The  net  result  in  Roches- 
ter is  a deep  and  lasting  impression  which,  with  con- 
tinued effort,  will  eventually  have  a marked  and  perma- 
nent effect  upon  our  fire  losses. 


Cl  One  achievement  of  the  year  has  given  me  especial 
pleasure,  for  it  proved  the  irresistible  power  of  public 
opinion  when  directed  by  an  organization  of  this  char- 
acter to  a useful  end.  Monroe  County  has  always  been 
anti-Canal,  but  when  the  Chamber  grasped  the  idea 
that  it  would  be  beneficial  to  Rochester  to  put  over  the 
Barge  Canal  Terminal  proposition,  at  the  request  of 
the  Chamber  everybody  co-operated — both  political 
parties,  the  municipal  authorities  and  good  citizens 
generally.  To-day  Rochester  and  the  Chamber  justly 
claim  credit  for  making  the  $101,000,000  spent  on  the 
Barge  Canal  of  some  use  to  the  citizens  of  the  State, 
by  providing  terminal  facilities, — for,  a canal  without 
terminal  facilities  would  be  like  a railroad  without 
sidetracks,  stations  and  depots. 


The 

Men 


The 

Booklets 


Barge 

Harbor 

Canal 


Page  eleven 


SOME  COMMITTEE  WORK 


CL  It  would  be  unfair  not  to  mention  the  painstaking 
and  persistent  effort  of  the  Industrial  Development 
Committee  under  Mr.  John  C.  Parker,  the  Smoke  Abate- 
ment Committee  under  Mr.  Henry  W.  Morgan,  the 
Public  Health  Committee  under  Dr.  C.  R.  Sumner,  the 
Upper  River  Improvement  Committee  under  the  tem- 
porary Chairmanship  of  President  Eastwood,  the  Good 
Roads  Committee  under  Vice-Chairman  Frank  J. 
Schwalb,  Convention  Committee  under  Chairman  John 
D.  Lynn,  and  the  Barge  Canal  and  Canal  Harbor  Com- 
mittee under  City  Engineer  Edwin  A.  Fisher. 

ft  There  are  few  conspicuous  things  to  be  named  as 
having  been  achieved  by  these  various  committees, 
and  yet  their  activities  have  been  well  directed,  and 
many  things  to  which  little  publicity  has  been  given 
have  been  effectually  accomplished. 

ft  The  Retail  Trade  Committee  under  Chairman 
Howard  A.  Barrows,  made  possible,  with  the  co-opera- 
tion of  many  other  members  of  the  Chamber,  the  Sum- 
mer Trade  Illumination,  of  which  the  President  has 
spoken. 

ft  The  Committee  on  Affairs,  under  the  chairmanship 
of  Dr.  Rush  Rhees,  has  given  wise  and  careful  considera- 
tion to  every  case  referred  to  it  by  the  Officers  of  the 
Chamber,  and  this  Chamber  has  spoken  with  dignity 
and  effectiveness  on  such  matters  as  it  had  a right  to 
speak. 

c The  greatest  gain  that  the  Chamber  has  made 
during  the  year  is  not  in  specific  things,  to  which  atten- 
tion could  be  called  at  this  time,  but  in  the  feeling  of 
solidarity  and  friendship  and  co-operative  effort  develop- 
ed among  the  membership,  increasing  the  knowledge  of 
the  rank  and  file  of  the  work  with  which  the  Officer* 
are  charged,  and  making  possible  the  accomplishment 
of  greater  tasks  during  the  year  1912. 

d.  It  is  a significant  fact  that  though  the  Chamber 
has  passed  through  two  very  marked  changes — namely, 
putting  the  entire  membership  upon  a purely  personal 
basis,  and  increasing  the  dues  from  $20.00  to  $30.00, 
the  membership  has  actually  made  a gain  of  two  during 
the  year  1911.  We  had  on  our  books  January  1st,  1911, 
775;  the  books  for  December  31st,  1911,  showed  777 
members.  This  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  we  have  had 


THE  MEMBERSHIP  REPORT 


during  the  year  an  unusual  number  of  deaths.  Even 
though  the  Chamber  had  sustained  a considerable  loss 
in  its  membership,  due  to  the  two  changes  mentioned 
above,  I am  convinced  that  it  would  have  been  entirely 
justified.  As  our  membership  stands  to-day  there  is  a 
direct  appeal  to  777  men,  and  in  the  last  analysis  a 
voluntarily  co-operative  association  must  appeal  to 
individuals.  You  do  not  get  enthusiasm  and  efficiency 
devoted  to  the  service  of  the  community  from  corpora- 
tions or  firms  or  associations,  but  from  men  in  whom 
can  be  cultivated  the  spirit  of  civic  pride. 

Cl  One  of  the  marked  increases  in  the  Chamber’s 
efficiency  during  the  year  1912  has  been  the  result,  in 
my  judgment,  of  a strict  adherence  to  the  Officers’  con- 
ception of  this  organization.  The  line  of  authority  is 
clearly  marked:  out  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  which  is 
our  governing  body  and  Court  of  Last  Resort,  stand 
the  Officers  who  are  charged  with  the  direction  of  the 
affairs  of  the  Corporation;  at  the  head  of  the  Officers 
stands  the  President,  whose  duty  it  is  to  originate,  select 
and  initiate  the  policies  which  shall  govern  the  organiza- 
tion during  his  administration.  It  is  then  the  duty  of 
the  Secretary  to  secure  the  active  aid  of  the  membership 
and  set  the  machinery  in  motion  to  carry  out  the  Presi- 
dent’s purposes.  The  Secretary’s  Assistants  are  the 
instruments  which  he  must  use  to  carry  into  effect  the 
purposes  and  determinations  of  the  various  committees 
charged  with  these  duties.  It  is  this  unity  and  efficiency 
within  the  Chamber  during  the  past  two  years  that  has 
marked  the  success  of  its  activities. 

Cl  I am  pleased  to  report  that  out  of  a total  of 
$22,054.86,  put  on  the  books  of  the  Chamber  for  dues 
from  the  members  of  this  organization  for  the  year  1911, 
only  $121.67  remains  unpaid  to-day.  We  have  lost, 
from  bad  debts  in  membership  dues  during  1911,  $386.66. 
This  is  a remarkable  showing,  and  I do  not  believe  can 
be  duplicated  in  any  commercial  organization  in  the 
United  States,  knowing  what  I do  of  the  collection  of 
dues  in  Chambers  of  Commerce  elsewhere.  It  speaks 
for  itself,  and  the  interest  and  loyalty  of  the  members  of 
this  organization.  Out  of  this  office  have  gone  83,436 
pieces  of  mail  during  1911,  summarized  as  follows  : 


47968 — 2 cent  letters, $959.36 

27598 — 1 cent  letters, 275.98 

7870 — Booklets  and  packages,  - - 306.51 

83436 — Pieces  of  mail,  -----  $1541.85 


A 

Good 

Showing 


Finance 


Page*thirteen 


INTIMATE  DETAILS 


Cost 

of 

Work 


A 

Housing 

Survey 


<£  It  is  a fixed  purpose  of  the  Officers  of  the  Chamber 
to  make  its  various  enterprises  as  nearly  self-supporting 
as  possible,  so  that  the  moneys  received  from  dues  may 
be  used  for  the  work  of  supervision  and  that  miscella- 
neous host  of  things  on  which  there  can  be  made  no 
direct  appeal,  but  which  need  to  be  done  if  the  Chamber 
is  to  fulfill  its  responsibilities.  Into  this  category  of 
self-supporting  projects  must  be  placed — all  dinners 
conducted  by  the  Chamber,  the  Summer  Illumination, 
the  convention  activities,  and  we  ultimately  hope,  the 
Lunch  Room. 


c An  analysis  of  the  disbursements  under  the  head 
of  Chamber  Expenses  will  illustrate  clearly  to  any  mem- 
ber the  costs  of  carrying  on  Fire  Prevention,  Smoke 
Abatement,  Industrial  Development,  Water  Storage, 
Barge  Canal  and  other  activities.  Then  too,  the  Cham- 
ber is  obliged,  from  time  to  time,  to  entertain  distin- 
guished visitors  to  the  city,  in  order  to  sustain  the  repu- 
tation and  prestige  of  Rochester. 


c The  annual  receipts  of  the  Chamber  are  to-day 
inadequate  to  carry  on  the  work  which  should  be  done 
and  done  at  once.  We  should  have  a survey  made, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Industrial  Development 
Committee,  of  the  possibilities  of  Rochester’s  industries. 
The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Boston  has  recently 
secured  a fund  of  $500,000  from  its  business  men,  for 
the  work  of  its  Committee  on  Industrial  Development. 
James  J.  Storrow,  one  of  Boston’s  biggest  bankers,  is 
leading  in  this  enterprise. 


c The  Chamber  of  Commerce  should  make  an  accurate 
and  thorough-going  survey  of  the  housing  conditions 
in  Rochester,  as  they  affect  its  industrial  and  mercantile 
life.  One  of  the  greatest  difficulties  in  our  work  is  the 
securing  of  accurate  information  regarding  our  own 
city.  We  have  carried  it  on  up  to  the  limit  of  the  force 
employed  for  that  purpose.  The  Chamber  needs  a 
greater  annual  revenue,  and  this,  so  far  as  I can  judge, 
can  be  accomplished  in  one  of  two  ways  or,  perhaps 
in  both  of  two  ways. 


Page  fourteen 


IMPORTANT  RECOMMENDATIONS 


C First,  by  materially  increasing  the  membership. 
There  are  in  Rochester  at  least  1,000  or  1,200  men  who 
belong  in  this  organization,  and  who  should  have  a part 
in  the  work  which  it  has  set  out  to  do.  This  would  mean 
an  increase  of  $6,000  or  $8,000  a year  in  our  receipts, 
as  well  as  the  added  strength  of  these  new  members. 

C The  second  way  is  by  securing  contributing  mem- 
bers who  should  pay  to  the  Chamber  $100  to  $500  per 
year  because  they  derive  that  amount  of  good  from  its 
efforts,  and  believe  to  that  extent  in  its  work. 

c The  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Boston  has  2,400 
members;  Detroit  has  2,400  members;  Cleveland  has 
about  2,000  members.  They  have  splendidly  equipped 
buildings  of  their  own.  This  Chamber  is  second  to  none 
of  them  in  its  efficiency,  and  it  should  have  the  means 
with  which  to  carry  on  its  increasing  activities.  Roches- 
ter cannot  afford  to  lag  in  this  work,  in  which  it  has 
achieved  such  an  enviable  reputation. 

Ch  There  is  one  fact  that  is  impressed  upon  my  mind 
after  nearly  three  years’  service  as  Secretary,  and  that 
is — that  this  is  a Chamber  of  Commerce,  and  its  primary 
duty  and  first  responsibility  is  to  foster  the  trade  and 
commerce  of  the  City  of  Rochester.  In  order  to  foster 
that  trade  and  commerce  we  may  interest  ourselves 
in  parks  and  playgrounds,  in  juvenile  courts,  in  a beau- 
tiful and  intelligent  plan  for  the  development  of  our 
city,  in  the  public  health  and  its  relations  to  efficiency, 
and  many  other  things,  but  we  must  not  forget  or  allow 
the  people  to  forget,  that  our  primary  responsibility  is 
to  members.  It  is  upon  commerce  that  the  entire  life 
of  the  city,  in  its  education  and  aesthetic  and  social 
and  religious  aspect  depends,  and  we  need  to  foster 
with  great  care  those  things  which  make  possible  our 
entire  human  welfare. 

We  need  not  concern  ourselves  seriously  with  who 
receives  the  credit  for  work  done.  A light  which  shines 
so  brightly  throughout  the  entire  land,  cannot  be  hidden 
in  Rochester,  and  our  only  concern  should  be  to  render 
the  wisest  and  most  efficient  service  that  we  can  to  the 
cause  in  which  we  are  all  engaged — namely,  to  make 
this  the  finest  and  the  best  and  the  most  worth  while 
city  in  the  land. 


New 

Members 


What 

the 

Chamber 
May  Do 

The 

Certificate 

of 

Incorporation 


Page  fifteen 


' 


UNITED  LITHO  & PRINTING  OOMPANIES,  ROCHESTER,  N . V. 


5766544 


^rUfe.. 

Chamber  of* 


